SPEECH ACTS IN ENGLISH AND UZBEK: A PRAGMATIC COMPARISON

Abstract

This article explores the use of speech acts in English and Uzbek, focusing on how intentions such as requesting, apologizing, thanking, or commanding are expressed and understood in both languages. Speech act theory, introduced by Austin and developed by Searle, provides the theoretical foundation. The study compares the directness, politeness strategies, and cultural norms that influence pragmatic behavior in English and Uzbek communication. Results reveal notable differences in formality, indirectness, and the use of honorifics, all of which have significant implications for translation, language teaching, and intercultural communication.